Connect with us
Mech Cadet Yu #9 Review

Comic Books

Mech Cadet Yu #9 Review

Yu and company take on a Sharg mothership.

[amazon_link asins=’B07D9W36Z6′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’255fd6f4-6eaf-11e8-bcee-b94eb75433dc’]

Boom! Studios’s Mech Cadet Yu has been at the top of my pull list ever since it debuted last summer. With a lovable cast, poignant character development, and charming robot designs, the series has impressed at every turn. Now, after a two month break since the last issue, the series is back with issue #9. It’s already been announced that Mech Cadet Yu will be ending at #12, so there’s a definite sense that the creative team is building up toward their last hurrah. Does this week’s issue start the final arc effectively? Is it good?

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Visually, this issue is great as always. Takeshi Miyazawa has been one of my favorite comic artists ever since I first saw his work, and he continues to impress here. Most of the mechs in this issue look great, especially Skip Tanaka’s. There are a number of group shots that show, Skip’s, the cadets’, and Chief Max’s mechs flying into battle together, and they all look majestic. There’s a definite sense that the team has fully assembled and is now embarking on their most vital mission ever. The facial expressions throughout are excellent, as Miyazawa pins down exact, subtle emotions that perfectly fit the characters’ dialogue.

This issue also owes a lot of its success to its coloration and lettering. Jessica Kholinne, who replaces the series’ original colorist Triona Farrell, has huge shoes to fill. Thankfully, she does so successfully. This issue’s colors are lovely, from the small shadows across characters’ faces in close-up shots to the beautiful blue and white expanses of outer space. As far as lettering goes, Simon Bowland continues to deliver clean, aesthetically pleasing work just like he did in the eight issues prior to this one.

Mech Cadet Yu #9 Review

This cast’s irrepressible energy is infectious.

As far as its writing goes, this issue is solid. Greg Pak’s dialogue is strong; all these characters have been well-established by now and their personalities mesh together entertainingly. There’s also a nice bit of strategy present with how the cadets plan to take down a Sharg mothership. Sanchez has the most standout moment of the issue when she calls out Park on her wishy-washy allegiances. All in all, there’s a decent amount of progress here.

[amazon_link asins=’B07D9W36Z6′ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’2b07be53-6eaf-11e8-b268-118ea9275d3a’]

Unfortunately, this issue also has some faults that hinder it from reaching the series’s previous heights. Art-wise, some panels look a bit too static and lack the sense of depth present in other parts of the issue. This applies to both the line-art and coloration which, though usually lovely, occasionally looks slightly washed out. Writing-wise, I’m not fully sold on the pacing of the ending either. I also wish that we got to see more mech vs. Sharg combat in this issue. The few times we do see the Sharg, they’re rendered in less detail than earlier in the series, and as a result they’re not quite as intimidating.

Overall, Mech Cadet Yu #9 is a good issue. The artwork is consistently strong, with excellent coloration and dynamic artwork. The writing is also solid, with pacing that only falters a little bit towards the end, and dialogue that sells the group dynamics the first eight issues built up. The issue’s ending is slightly jarring and the Sharg could have been more terrifying, but otherwise, I have qualms with this issue. This may not be the series’s best, but it’s still better than the majority of books on the stands.

Mech Cadet Yu #9 Review
Mech Cadet Yu #9
Is it good?
Strong art and character dynamics make this yet another fun issue.
The coloration and line-work are dynamic and aesthetically pleasing throughout most of the issue
The dialogue is strong and reminds us why we love these characters
After so many issues of training, the cadets are finally facing the big bads
Some panels look flatter than others and lack depth comparatively speaking
The pacing of the ending feels a bit off
8
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Comic Books

DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

DC reveals ‘DC: Pride’ and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup